Method of manufacturing printing member



April 2, 1968 N. o. T. LCOF METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PRINTING MEMBER Filed Dec. 2. 1964 United States Patent 3,375,784 METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PRINTING MEMBER Nils Oskar Tore Liiiif, Gullspang, Sweden Filed Dec. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 415,432 Claims priority, application Sweden, Dec. 6, 1963, 13,544/ 63 8 Claims. (Cl. 101-327) The present invention relates to a printing device and a method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a type element adapted for use in printing, typing, or stamping operations, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Heretofore, it has been common practice to manufacture type elements from fluid impervious materials, such as, metals or other materials, which will accept a surface coating of ink but into which the ink will not be absorbed or through which the ink will not flow. In addition, because of the normally small character of the type or design to be placed on the printing element and the nature of the materials from which the printing elements are made, the manufacture of type elements has been a relatively expensive operation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved printing device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved type element for a printing device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved type element for a printing device in which at least a portion of the end of the element carrying the printing pattern is capable of containing ink.

Another and further object of the present invention is to provide an improved type element for a printing device in which a printing pattern is formed in a plurality of planes.

Still another object of the present invention is to pro vide an improved printing device in which the type element is capable of transmitting ink and an ink-carrying reservoir is attached to the side of the type element opposite the side carrying the printing pattern.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved printing device in which a plurality of appropriately shaped type elements are combined to form a composite pattern.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved printing device in which a plurality of appropriately shaped type elements are combined to form a composite pattern and inks of at least two different colors can be supplied to at least two of the type elements.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of forming a printing device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for forming a type element wherein a plurality of elongated elements are formed in a bundle and an axial force is applied to one end of the bundle of elements to cause the opposite ends of the elements to conform to a die or matrix pattern.

Another and further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of manufacturing a type element wherein a plurality of elongated elements are formed in a bundle, a portion of the elements is displaced longitudinally to form a printing pattern, and the elements are then bound together to prevent longitudinal displacement of the elements when a printing pressure is applied.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a type element wherein a bundle of elongated elements is formed with longitudinal passages between the elements, a portion of the elements is displaced longitudinally to form a printing pattern, and

a portion of the end of the bundle carrying the printing pattern is sealed against fluid passage therethrough.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a type element wherein a bundle of elongated elements is formed with passages between the elements, a portion of the elements is displaced longitudinally to form a printing pattern, a fluid impermeable sealing material is formed on the end of the bundle carrying the printing pattern, and the sealing material is thereafter removed from a portion of the end.

These and other objects and advantageous of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 shows the first major step in the manufacture of type elements in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 shows a second major step of such manufacture;

FIGURE 3 shows the finished type element manufactured in accordance with the present invention.

A type element for use in printing, typing or stamping predetermined patterns or the like is made in accordance with the present invention by forming a bundle of elongated elements, longitudinally displacing a portion of the elements to produce a predetermined printing pattern with said displaced elements, and, thereafter, binding the elements so that the application of printing pressure to the end of the type element carrying the printing pattern will not displace any of the elements. It has also been found, in accordance with the presentinvention that if the type element permits the absorption or transmission of printing inks, the element may be used for long, intermittent or even continuous periods without renewing the supply of ink.

Reference will now be made to the drawings for a description of the preferred method of manufacturing the type elements of the present invention and a description of the preferred type element. In accordance with FIG- URE l, a bundle 1 of thin metallic wires is formed. Preferably the diameter of the wires is less than about .02 inch. These wires are collected into a bundle, preferably having a circular cross section as shown, and held together in any suitable manner.

When the wire bundle has been formed, it is placed above and in contact with a suitable matrix to have a predetermined printing pattern formed therein. Suitable dies may also be used. A metallic plate 2 may have the pattern 3 formed therein by milling, etching, or any other suitable means.

A multi-level printing pattern can be formed on the end of bundle 1 by several different techniques. The preferred technique isshown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. In accordance with FIGURE 2, the bundle 1 is placed against plate 2 with the casing 4 surrounding the opposite end of bundle 1. Connected to casing 4 is fluid supply hose 5 which preferably leads to a supply of pressurized air (not shown). By applying air pressure through the hose 5 and casing 4 to the end of bundle 1 those wires which are exactly opposite the depressed pattern 3 in plate 2 are displaced longitudinally to conform to pattern 3 whereby the ends of the displaced wires assume a plurality of different planes from those which they originally occupied. Thus, a type element 6, having positive, protruding printing pattern formed on the end of the bundle of wires, is formed as shown in FIGURE 3.

The next step in the manufacturing operation is to bind or lock the wires together in their new positions so that the application of printing pressure to the end of type element 6 which carries the printing pattern will not displace any of the wires. This can be accomplished by forcing a tight metal sleeve 7 about the exterior of the bundle, as shown in FIGURE 3. Preferably, however, a suitable binding agent may be applied to the outside surface of the bundle. Suitable binding agents includes thermosetting materials which can be applied in a liquid form and permitted to cool and set. This, of course, can include metallic solders, plastics, or other materials which have lower melting points than the metal wires from which the type element 6 is made. The melted binding agent may be applied to the exterior and then permitted to cool and harden. Other suitable methods of consolidating or binding the bundle of wires will occur to those skilled in the art.

When a bundle of wires is bound together, as shown in FIGURE 3, to form a consolidated type element 6, it is obvious that longitudinally disposed channels will be present between the wires which will extend from one to the other and which will be capable of transmitting ink from one end of the type element 6 to the other. Thus, if the end of the bundle carrying the printing pattern is sealed on all surfaces except where the desired raised pattern exists, printing ink may be passed through the channels in the printing element 6 and discharged through the openings remaining on the surface of the raised printing pattern. Obviously, the printing pattern may be a depressed or negative pattern, such as that shown on the upper end of the bundle 1 in FIGURE 2, in which case the desired printing pattern may itself be sealed leaving the surrounding openings free to discharge printing ink and form an inked outline of the desired pattern. The actual sealing of a portion of the surface of the type element 6 can be accom plished in any of several known ways. The simplest way is to apply a lacquer coating to the portion of the type element to be sealed. Where the sealing material must have greater mechanical strength, sealing may be accomplished by chrome plating by the galvanic method, applying liquid solder or other techniques. During the application of the sealing material, the portion which is to be left porous and unsealed may be either masked before the sealing material is applied, or the sealing material may be applied to the entire end and then ground or otherwise removed from the portion which is to be porous.

It is quite obvious that that air supply mechanism 4-5 may also be used for the supply of ink. In addition to acting as a casing, casing 4 can also be utilized as a reservoir which is filled with ink periodically and capped. Ink can also be supplied through hose 5 under pressure, thereby permitting the use of highly viscous inks. It is also possible to use the ink at normal temperatures or to use inks which are highly viscous or solid at normal temperatures and heat the ink to make it flowable. This makes possible the use of ink substances which have not heretofore been usable in conventional printing or stamping operations. It is also known that printing may be accomplished by supplying a suitable gas, such as, ammonium to an ammonia sensitive paper; and the ink supply system 4-5, and the novel type element 6 of the present invention are ideal for this type of printing. Accordingly, it is to be recognized that where the term ink is used in the present invention, this term is meant to include liquid, gaseous and solid materials, as discussed previously, and is not to be limited to liquids generally familiar to the unskilled layman.

It is also quite obvious that the type element formed in accordance with the present invention may be used as a stamp for embossing operations, as a type element for striking against a ribbon or carbon paper carrying ink or carbon, or other in known printing, typing or stamping operations. It is also quite obvious that the novel character of the type elements of the present invention permit various other techniques of suplying ink continuously or intermittently. For example, rather than utilizing wires, as in the preferred example, the elongated elements may be inherently permeable. In other Words, the elements themselves may have innerconnecting pores, similar to porous rock formations; and, in this case, ink may be transmitted through the body of the elements themselves rather than through channels between the elements or a combination of both. Such permeable elements may make up the whole of the bundle or only a pattern forming portion thereof. In like manner, the elongated elements may be formed of a material which will absorb ink. Such absorptive elements would preferably constitute only the actual pattern portion, although the whole of the bundle may be made of such absorptive elements. Absorptive elements would then be saturated with ink and usable for an extended period of time without replenishing the ink.

Still another mode of operation permitted by the novel structure of the type elements of the present invention is to form bundles of the elongated elements which, when a plurality of bundles is combined, form a predetermined, composite printing pattern. By individually sealing the exterior of each bundle against fluid transmission, except through their ends, and having separate ink supplies to two or more of the bundles, printing in several different colors or shades can be accomplished. In this particular variation a bundle of the elongated elements may take the form of bundle 1 in FIGURE 1, where the ends of all the elements are in a single plane but are bundled according to a predetermined configuration. As shown in FIGURE 1, the bundle is, of course, round, but it could be square or any other desired shape and by combining a plurality of such bundles a composite pattern can be made. When making a composite pattern, the bundles may individually have a raised pattern, as in FIGURE 3, the combination of the raised patterns may form a composite pattern.

While specific examples and apparatus have been shown and described, it is to be understood that other variations and modifications will be obvious to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is to be limited only in accordance wit-h the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A printing device comprising:

(a) a plurality of metallic wires arranged parallel to one another in the form of a cylindrical bundle; said wires being of circular cross-section and each having a diameter of not more than about 0.02 inch;

(b) at least a preselected group of said wires being displaced longitudinally and terminating in a plane differing from the plane of the remaining ones of said wires;

(c) said displaced wires forming a preselected printing pattern on one end of said bundle of wires;

(d) a metal sleeve annularly surrounding said bundle of wires and holding said wires together with a force sufficient to prevent longitudinal displacement of said wires when a printing force is applied to the end of said bundle carrying said printing pattern;

(e) a sealing material impervious to fluids on the end of said bundle carrying said printing pattern and sealing the spaces between the said remaining ones of said wires which do not form said printing pattern; and

(f) a reservoir for ink attached to that end of said bundle opposite to the end of said bundle carrying said stamp pattern.

2. A method of manufacturing a printing device comprising:

(a) forming a cylindrical bundle of metallic wires;

said wires being of circular cross-section and each having a diameter of not more than about 0.02 inch;

(-b) placing one end of said bundle of wires against a plate having a preselected, multi-level printing pattern formed thereon;

(c) applying air pressure to the end of said bundle of Wires which is opposite to the end which is against said plate with a force sufiicient to longitudinally displace a portion of said wires and cause said wires to assume the contours of said multi-l-evel printing pattern fiormed on said plate;

((1) pressing a metal sleeve about said bundle of Wires to hold said wires together with a force sufiicient to prevent longitudinal displacement of said wires when a printing force is applied to one end of said bundle; and

(e) applying a coating of lacquer to the end of said bundle of wires carrying said printing pattern on an area of said end of said bundle and in an amount :suflicient to seal the space between those Wires which do not form said printing pattern.

3. A method of manufacturing a printing device comprising:

(a) forming a bundle of a plurality of elongated elements;

(b) placing a housing connected to a source of air pressure over one end of said bundle;

(c) placing the other end of said bundle against a plate having a preselected multilevel printing pattern formed thereon;

(d) applying air pressure through said housing to longitudinally displace a portion of said elements into depressed portion of said plate and form a printing pattern on one end of said bundle;

(e) binding said bundle of elements together to prevent further longitudinal displacement of said elemerits when a printing force is applied to said other end of said bundle; and

(f) applying a fluid impervious material over all of said bundle except said printing pattern and the end of the said bundle opposite the end carrying said printing pattern.

4. A method in accordance With claim 3 wherein the elongated elements are wire-like elements of circular cross section.

5. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the elements are bound together by a pressure sleeve.

6. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the elements are bound together by applying a liquified solidifiable binding agent and solidifying the binding agent.

7. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the elements are bound together by a housing: connected to a supply of ink.

8. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the elements are bound together by a housing having an open chamber above the end of the bundle opposite the end carrying the printing pattern and providing a reservoir for ink.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 522,567 7/1894 Ten Winkle 101-401.2 351,355 10/1886 Bigelowe. 2,442,022 5/1948 Schulz 101401.2

DAVID KLEIN, Primary Examiner. ROBERT E. PULFREY, Exwminer.

'J. A. BELL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PRINTING DEVICE COMPRISING: (A) A PLURALITY OF METALLIC WIRES ARRANGED PARALLEL TO ONE ANOTHER IN THE FORM OF A CYLINDRICAL BUNDLE; SAID WIRES BEING OF CIRCULAR CROSS-SECTION AND EACH HAVING A DIAMETER OF NOT MORE THAN ABOUT 0.02 INCH; (B) AT LEAST A PRESELECTED GROUP OF SAID WIRES BEING DISPLACED LONGITUDINALLY AND TERMINATING IN A PLANE DIFFERING FROM THE PLANE OF THE REMAINING ONES OF SAID WIRES; (C) SAID DISPLACED WIRES FORMING A PRESELECTED PRINTING PATTERN ON ONE END OF SAID BUNDLE OF WIRES; (D) A METAL SLEEVE ANNULARLY SURROUNDING SAID BUNDLE OF WIRES AND HOLDING SAID WIRES TOGETHER WITH A FORCE SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT LONGITUDINAL DISPLACEMENT OF SAID WIRES WHEN A PRINTING FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE END OF SAID BUNDLE CARRYING SAID PRINTING PATTERN; (E) A SEALING MATERIAL IMPERVIOUS TO FLUIDS ON THE END OF SAID BUNDLE CARRYING SAID PRINTING PATTERN AND SEALING THE SPACES BETWEEN THE SAID REMAINING ONES OF SAID WIRES WHICH DO NOT FORM SAID PRINTING PATTERN; AND (F) A RESERVOIR FOR INK ATTACHED TO THAT END OF SAID BUNDLE OPPOSITE TO THE END OF SAID BUNDLE CARRYING SAID STAMP PATTERN. 